Texas Rangers Blog

Rangers reach agreement with Geovany Soto

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Rangers reached agreement with catcher Geovany Soto on a one-year contract late Sunday, a source said. The deal is pending a physical, which will likely take place in the next 48 hours. Details of the contract were not available.

Soto, who turns 30 on January 30, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the July 31 trading deadline. He went on to hit .196 for the Rangers in 47 games, while compiling a .591 OPS. For the year, Soto hit .199 with a .613 OPS in 99 games.

While the salary was uncertain, it is likely to be less than the $4.3 million Soto made in 2012.

Club officials worked late into the evening ahead of Friday’s 11 p.m. CT deadline for tendering contracts to players to complete a Soto deal. With the deal still unfinished, the Rangers opted not to tender a contract and enter arbitration with Soto.

That gives the Rangers one catcher on the roster with significant major league experience. It still leaves them one short. The Rangers have tried to re-sign Mike Napoli, but have so far been unwilling to go beyond two years. The general assumption is that Napoli will have an offer of three years – and possibly four – to consider from Boston or Seattle. The Rangers met with Napoli and his agent last week in Arlington with no resolution.